NBA stars still without a ring

June 26, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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Owning an Olympic gold medal is one thing, but what all NBA players really want is an NBA championship ring. Some of these stars have one, including LeBron James (right). Others are still waiting. Click on the photo for a slideshow of top NBA players still waiting for an NBA championship. FILE: PHOTO BY ERIC GAY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Carlos Boozer worked for years in Utah, but never came close to winning the NBA title. Moving to the Chicago Bulls might have gotten him closer, but then Derrick Rose went down with an injury. FILE: PHOTO BY NAM Y. HUH, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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This was supposed to be Derrick Rose's time to shine, perhaps bringing championship basketball back to the Windy City. But a season-ending in the first-round of the NBA playoffs changed all that. FILE: PHOTO BY JEFFREY PHELPS, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Carmelo Anthony helped turn the Denver Nuggets from playoff laughingstock to contender and was counted on to do the same in New York. Maybe next season. FILE: PHOTO BY SETH WENIG, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Veteran Chris Paul did turn around the Clippers' image when he helped them power through to the second round of the NBA playoffs. Paul didn't come close to winning a ring, but consider it baby steps. FILE: PHOTO BY KEVIN SULLIVAN/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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New Jersey Nets star Deron Williams still is searching for that elusive championship feeling and is expected to go looking beyond the Manhattan skyline for his dream this off-season. FILE: PHOTO BY RICH PEDRONCELLI, THE ASSCOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Kevin Durant came oh-so-close to winning his first NBA championship, reaching the Finals in his fifth season. We're guessing there are many NBA championship moments in his future. FILE; PHOTO BY REED SAXON, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Orlando star Dwight Howard has played in only one NBA Finals, losing out to the Lakers in 2009. His quest for his first NBA championship is expected to continue, but no one -- maybe not even Howard himself -- knows where. FILE; PHOTO BY TONY GUTIERREZ, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Joe Johnson has been an All-Star six times and a superstar in Atlanta the past five seasons. But Johnson never once has he starred on the league's biggest stage. FILE: PHOTO BY DUANE BURLESON, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Talk about a long wait. After 16 seasons in the NBA, Steve Nash still doesn't have any rings. He's not giving up, though. FILE: PHOTO BY MATT YORK, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Amar'e Stoudemire is another player who has been searching for that championship feeling for a while. And it could be a long, long while before he slips on a ring. FILE: PHOTO BY LYNNE SLADKY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Poor Vince Carter. He joined the Orlando the year after the Magic reached the 2009 Finals and Dallas a year after the won the NBA title. At least he can look at his teammates' rings. FILE: PHOTO BY JONATHON DANIEL, GETTY IMAGES, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Owning an Olympic gold medal is one thing, but what all NBA players really want is an NBA championship ring. Some of these stars have one, including LeBron James (right). Others are still waiting. Click on the photo for a slideshow of top NBA players still waiting for an NBA championship.FILE: PHOTO BY ERIC GAY, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, TEXT BY JANIS CARR/THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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